Malawi FA charges Wanderers with unsporting behaviour

The Football Association of Malawi (Fam), has charged Mighty Be Forward Wanderers Football Club for displaying unsporting behaviour during the 2016 Carlsberg Cup semi-final match against Mangochi Police on Saturday 27th August 2016 at the Kamuzu Stadium.

Nomads players celebrate

Wanderers are being charged for ‘Bullying of Opponents’, Failure to control own Supporters’ and Bringing the game into Disrepute’ and they have 24 hours (from 13:00hrs on Thursday) to respond to the charges accordingly.

The charges are that during the semi-final match between Mighty Be Forward Wanderers and lower division side Mangochi Police, the Nomads supporters are alleged to have bullied a Mangochi Police player by pouring soup on him in the dressing room tunnel during half time which is contrary to article 24.12 of the Carlsberg Cup Rules and Regulation.

Wanderers are charged that they allegedly failed to take precautionary measures to control their “supporters who invaded the dressing room and tunnel despite being aware and having been advised that they were not allowed to do so. This was contrary to Article 24.1 of the Carlsberg Cup Rules and Regulations.”

“The actions of Wanderers supporters resulted in the delay of the second half kickoff as well as negative publicity of the above stated match therefore bringing the game of football into disrepute. In terms of Article 24.21 of the Rules and Regulations, the Organising Committee hereby charges the club accordingly,” says the charge statement signed by Fam General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda.

When the game resumed, Wanderers advanced to the final with a 1-0 victory through a goal scored by their experienced striker Ishamel Thindwa, who came in as a substitute.

Thindwa was decorated with man of the match accolade for his exploits.

The Nomads will play the winners between Silver Strikers, who beat and Mafco FC the following day.

Wanderers are on the quest to become only the first club to win the Carlsberg Cup back to back. They won the prestigious cup after beating Nyasa Big Bullets 2-1 in Lilongwe last season.

FAM pays security for their job at the matches and we have been told what percentage goes towards security. Who do they protect at the stadium? FAM offficials, supporters or players? I think players need special protection during matches. where was security on the day? Do not punish Wanderers and at the same time pay for security.

What are the charges? U hv just cited the laws basi. Sumbu do u watch football? Do u think anyone can just wake up and do that? Can a wizards supporter do that? Everyone knows kuti no one can do that other than wanderers supporter

The conclusion has left me wondering as to how FAM came up with the conclusion that the perpetrators are indeed Wanderers supporters. Were they in the club’s jerseys? That’s the firs question. Secondly, how did the said ‘Wanderers’ supporters find their way into the dressing room? Where was the security detail to control these said supporters entry? Come on football administrators!